Sign up to receive free email alerts when patent applications with chosen keywords are publishedSIGN UP

Abstract:

A method for improving communication distance accuracy of a transaction
system via temperature compensation includes: storing a reference
temperature value and a reference field intensity value in a card read
micro-controller (101), wherein a temperature sensor (104) is used for
detecting an external ambient temperature; based on a difference between
the detected external ambient temperature and the reference temperature
value, determining at the card read micro-controller (101) whether to
perform temperature compensation to an RF field intensity or an
equivalent value of the RF field intensity of a SIM card antenna (203),
wherein the RF field intensity and the equivalent value of the RF field
intensity are received by a card read antenna (103) and are transmitted
to the card read micro-controller through a card read RF module (102);
transmitting a distance determination result via the card read RF module
(102) to the card read antenna (103), which sends the result to an RF SIM
card (200). This invention includes the following benefits: it can
improve distance control accuracy of the transaction system under various
external temperatures environment and reduce unconscious long-distance
card-swiping mis-operation.

Claims:

1. A method for improving communication distance accuracy of a
transaction system via temperature compensation is used for
communications between a mobile terminal and a card reader in the
transaction system, wherein the card reader includes an radio-frequency
("RF") card read device (100) and the mobile terminal includes an RF SIM
card (200), and wherein the RF card read device (100) includes a card
read micro-controller (101), a card read RF module (102), a card read
antenna (103), and a temperature sensor (104), the method includes
following steps: A. reading out a pre-configured reference temperature
value via the card read micro-controller (101), wherein when an ambient
temperature is different from the pre-configured reference temperature
value, the card read micro-controller (101) compensates a detected field
intensity or an equivalent value of the detected field intensity to
reduce a difference of the detected field intensity or the equivalent
value of the detected field intensity caused by different temperatures;
B. reading out a pre-configured field intensity threshold via the card
read micro-controller (101), wherein when the mobile terminal is within a
transaction range, a field intensity represented by the detected field
intensity or the equivalent value of the detected field intensity is not
smaller than a field intensity represented by the pre-configured field
intensity threshold; C. reading out by the card read micro-controller
(101), via the RF module (102), an RF field intensity or an equivalent
value of the RF field intensity of the RF SIM card (200), which is
received by the card read antenna (103); D. reading out via the card read
micro-controller (101) an ambient temperature detected by the temperature
sensor (104), and determining if the detected ambient temperature is
different from the pre-configured reference temperature value; if yes,
performing pre-configured temperature compensation to the read-out field
intensity or equivalent value of the field intensity; otherwise, not
performing temperature compensation; E. determining via the card read
micro-controller (101) whether the compensated field intensity or
equivalent value of the field intensity processed by Step C is bigger
than the pre-configured field intensity threshold; if yes, providing a
suitable distance determination; otherwise, providing an unsuitable
distance determination; and F. transmitting the distance suitability
determination of Step E to the RF SIM card (200) by the card read
micro-controller (101) via the card read RF module (102) and the card
read antenna (103).

2. The method of claim 1, wherein: regarding the compensation in Step A,
the compensation value is an empirical value obtained from an analysis of
an impact of a temperature on RF power and detection, and the
compensation value can be modified.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein: the temperature compensation in Step D
is performed by the card read micro-controller (101) to the detected RF
field intensity value by using a difference between the pre-configured
reference temperature and the temperature detected by the temperature
sensor (104).

4. The method of claim 1, wherein: the pre-configured field intensity
threshold in Step B can be modified according to requirements of the
transaction system on a communication distance.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein: at Step E, the card read
micro-controller (101) uses parameters corresponding to RF power
intensity to conduct the distance control and determination.

6. A card read device for improving communication distance accuracy of a
transaction system via temperature compensation is used for
communications between a mobile terminal and a card reader in the
transaction system, the card read device comprising: a card read
micro-controller (101); a card read RF module (102); a card read antenna
(103); and a temperature sensor (104); wherein: the temperature sensor
(104) is used for detecting an external ambient temperature; the card
read micro-controller (101) determines whether to perform temperature
compensation to a field intensity or an equivalent value of the field
intensity of transmission signals of a SIM card antenna (203) based on
the external ambient temperature detected by the temperature sensor
(104), wherein the field intensity or the equivalent value of the field
intensity signals is received by the card read antenna (103) and is
transmitted to the card read micro-controller through the card read RF
module (102); and the card read micro-controller (101) transmits a
distance determination result via the card read RF module (102) to the
card read antenna (103), which sends the result to an RF SIM card (200).

Description:

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates to a recording medium used with a machine,
and especially relates to a recording medium with a semiconductor
component. It particularly relates to a method and device for improving
communication distance accuracy of a transaction system via temperature
compensation.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0002] The Subscriber Identity Model ("SIM") used in mobile communication
technologies is applied widely as a client identification device of
mobile communication terminals. With the development of technologies and
science, various intelligent circuit modules are added into the SIM card
of an ordinary mobile communication terminal via different kinds of ways
to make the SIM card have functionalities closer to the daily life in
addition to basic SIM card functionalities. A Radio-Frequency ("RF") SIM
card is one of the examples. China Patent No. 200710124354.7 discloses
corresponding technologies.

[0003] An RF IC card device with high frequencies described in China
Patent No. 200710124354.7 adopts active RF technology, which can have
mobile payment functions such as E-wallet or consumer application
functions such as mobile-phone access pass. But for certain payment
application functions, for transaction safety, a wireless communication
distance must be controlled within a very small range, such as within a
bus or metro, to avoid unconscious long-distance mis-transactions. So
communication distance control becomes the most difficult goal to
achieve.

[0004] The short distance card-swiping mechanism (i.e. a mechanism of
constraining the card-swiping distance) of existing RF SIM cards
determines the distance through checking parameters of RF power
intensity. But this mechanism does not take into account an impact of a
temperature (under same emission power, the lower a temperature is, the
higher a field intensity value is detected) on RF emission power and
detection. Thus, changes to external ambient temperature will affect the
accuracy of the distance determination.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In accordance with the invention, the technical problem to be
resolved by this invention is to avoid the shortcomings of the above
described existing technologies by providing a method and device for
improving distance control accuracy of an RF SIM card transaction system
through temperature compensation. After including a temperature detection
and compensation mechanism, the distance control accuracy of a
transaction system under various external temperatures environment is
improved.

[0006] This invention provides solutions to the above technical problems
including a method for improving communication distance accuracy of a
transaction system via temperature compensation. The method is used in
communications between a mobile terminal and a card reader in the
transaction system. The card reader includes an RF card read device and
the mobile terminal includes an RF SIM card. The RF card read device
includes a card read micro-controller, a card read FR module, a card read
antenna, and a temperature sensor. The method includes following steps:

[0007] A. The card read micro-controller reads out a pre-configured
reference temperature value. When an ambient temperature is different
from the reference temperature value, the card read micro-controller
compensates a detected field intensity or an equivalent value of the
detected field intensity to reduce differences of the detected field
intensity or the equivalent value of the detected field intensity caused
by different temperatures.

[0008] B. The card read micro-controller reads out a pre-configured field
intensity threshold. When the mobile terminal is within a transaction
range, a field intensity represented by the detected field intensity or
the equivalent value of the detected field intensity is not smaller than
a field intensity represented by the pre-configured field intensity
threshold.

[0009] C. The card read micro-controller reads out, via the RF module, an
RF field intensity or an equivalent value of the RF field intensity (of
the RF SIM card) received by the card read antenna.

[0010] D. The card read micro-controller reads out an ambient temperature
detected by the temperature sensor, and analyzes and compares to
determine if the detected ambient temperature is different from the
pre-configured reference temperature value. If yes, the card read
micro-controller performs pre-configured temperature compensation to the
read-out field intensity or equivalent value of the field density;
otherwise, no temperature compensation is performed.

[0011] E. The card read micro-controller determines whether a field
intensity represented by the field intensity or the equivalent value of
the field intensity, which has been processed at Step C, is bigger than
the pre-configured field intensity threshold. If yes, the card read
micro-controller provides a suitable distance determination; otherwise,
the card read micro-controller provides an unsuitable distance
determination.

[0012] F. And the card read micro-controller sends the determination
result of Step E to the RF SIM card via the card read RF module and the
card read antenna.

[0013] Regarding the compensation in Step A, the compensation value is an
empirical value obtained from an analysis of an impact of a temperature
on the RF power and detection. Also, the compensation value can be
modified.

[0014] The temperature compensation in Step D is performed by the card
read micro-controller to the detected RF field intensity value by using a
difference between the pre-configured reference temperature and the
temperature detected by the temperature sensor.

[0015] The pre-configured field intensity threshold in Step B can be
modified according to requirements of the transaction system on a
communication distance.

[0016] In Step E, the card read micro-controller uses parameters
corresponding to the RF power intensity to conduct the distance control
and determination.

[0017] To solve the above technical problem, the invention also adopts a
card read device for improving communication distance accuracy of a
transaction system via temperature compensation, which is used for
communications between a mobile terminal and a card reader in the
transaction system:

[0018] The card read device includes a card read micro-controller, a card
read RF module, a card read antenna, and a temperature sensor.

[0019] The temperature sensor is used for detecting an external ambient
temperature. Based on the external ambient temperature detected by the
temperature sensor, the card read micro-controller determines whether to
conduct temperature compensation to a field intensity or an equivalent
value of the field intensity of transmission signals of a SIM card
antenna. The field intensity and the equivalent value of the field
intensity signals are received by the card read antenna and are
transmitted to the card read micro-controller through the card read RF
module. The card read micro-controller transmits a distance determination
result, via the card read RF module, to the card read antenna, which
sends the result to an RF SIM card.

[0020] The temperature sensor can either transmit detected temperature
data via the card read RF module to card read micro-controller or
transmit the data to the card read micro-controller directly.

[0021] Comparing to existing technologies, this invention has following
benefits: after the temperature detection and compensation mechanism is
included, the distance control accuracy of the transaction system under
various external temperatures environment can be improved, and
unconscious long-distance card-swiping mis-operations can be reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an internal logical
structure of an RF card read device in accordance with the invention.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal logical
structure of an RF SIM card in accordance with the invention.

[0024]FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process for
temperature compensation in accordance with the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Further detailed description of this invention is provided as
follows in combination with the attached figures.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, this invention provides a method for improving
communication distance accuracy of a transaction system via temperature
compensation. The transaction system includes a card reader and a mobile
terminal. The card reader includes an RF card read device 100 and the
mobile terminal includes an RF SIM card 200. The RF card read device 100
includes a card read micro-controller 101, a card read RF module 102, a
card read antenna 103, and a temperature sensor 104. The method includes
the following steps:

[0027] A. Card read micro-controller 101 reads out a pre-configured
reference temperature value. When an ambient temperature is different
from the reference temperature value, the card read micro-controller
compensates the detected field intensity or an equivalent value of the
detected field intensity to reduce differences of the detected field
intensity or the equivalent value of the detected field intensity caused
by different temperatures.

[0028] B. Card read micro-controller 101 reads out a pre-configured field
intensity threshold. When mobile terminal is within a transaction range,
a field intensity represented by the detected field intensity or the
equivalent value of the detected field intensity is not smaller than a
field intensity represented by the pre-configured field intensity
threshold.

[0030] D. Card read micro-controller 101 reads out an ambient temperature
detected by temperature sensor 104, and analyzes and compares to
determine if the detected ambient temperature is different from the
pre-configured reference temperature value. If yes, card read
micro-controller 101 performs pre-configured temperature compensation to
the read-out field intensity or equivalent value of the field intensity;
otherwise, no temperature compensation is performed.

[0031] E. Card read micro-controller 101 determines whether the
compensated field intensity or equivalent value of the field intensity
processed by Step C is bigger than the pre-configured field intensity
threshold. If yes, card read micro-controller 101 provides a
determination of a suitable distance; otherwise, card read
micro-controller 101 provides a determination of not a suitable distance.

[0033] Regarding the compensation in Step A, the compensation value is an
empirical value obtained from an analysis of an impact of a temperature
on the RF power and detection. Also, the compensation value can be
modified.

[0034] The temperature compensation in Step D is done by card read
micro-controller 101 to the detected RF field intensity value by using a
difference between the pre-configured reference temperature and the
temperature detected by temperature sensor 104.

[0035] The pre-configured field intensity threshold in Step B can be
modified according to requirements of the transaction system on a
communication distance.

[0036] In Step E, card read micro-controller 101 uses parameters
corresponding to the RF power intensity to conduct the distance control
and determination.

[0037] In this invention, a card read device for improving communication
distance accuracy of a transaction system via temperature compensation is
used for communications between a mobile terminal and a card reader in
the transaction system. The card read device includes a card read
micro-controller 101, a card read RF module 102, a card read antenna 103,
and a temperature sensor 104.

[0038] Temperature sensor 104 is used for detecting an external ambient
temperature. Based on the external ambient temperature detected by
temperature sensor 104, card read micro-controller 101 determines whether
to perform temperature compensation to a field intensity or an equivalent
value of the field intensity of transmission signals of a SIM card
antenna 203. The field intensity and the equivalent value of the field
intensity signals are received by card read antenna 103 and are
transmitted to the card read micro-controller through card read RF module
102. Card read micro-controller 101 transmits a distance determination
result via card read RF module 102 to card read antenna 103, which sends
the result to RF SIM card 200.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 3, an exemplary process in accordance with the
disclosed embodiments includes:

[0041] Step 1: at process 300, card read micro-controller 101 uses card
read RF module 102 to detect an RF field intensity or an equivalent value
of the RF field intensity, both of which are emitted by RF SIM card 200
and are received by card read antenna 103;

[0045] Step 5: at process 304, card read micro-controller 101 performs
temperature compensation to the RF field intensity or the equivalent
value of the RF field intensity based on the analysis result of process
303;

[0046] Step 6: at process 305, card read micro-controller 101 compares and
determines whether the RF field intensity or the equivalent value of the
RF field intensity is greater than a field intensity threshold;

[0049] The above described embodiments are examples of preferable
implementation mode of this invention. Those skilled in the art can make
various modifications and substitutions, which are within the scope of
this invention.